For nearly a century, we have been enraptured by the story of “Ma” Kate Barker – and whether we hear of her story through detailed accounts of her criminal career, or through the song by Boney M that immortalised her within the culture, she has become a figure of American folklore, a fascinating individual whose…
Tag: horror
Frontier Gambler (1956)
Few genres have changed more frequently than the western genre, which consists of clear delineations between periods, with very little overlap unless a film is constructed as an intentional throwback. Another genre in which this has taken place is the film noir, which also reached its peak at some point in the middle of the…
Willie Dynamite (1973)
Much like any art form, cinema is usually crafted as a response to the social and cultural milieux in which a particular artist exists, which means that we usually find every film contains some degree of commentary, even if only in the most subtle cues. We usually find that crime films in particular contain the…
Opus (2025)
Fame is a fickle beast, and one that is truly impossible to tame. Once someone has lived inside the spotlight, it is often difficult to escape – you either remain a celebrated and beloved (or perhaps even controversial) public figure, or are viewed as being formerly at the peak of your popularity, a shadow of…
The Spiral Staircase (1946)
Nestled in the idyllic countryside of Vermont stands a beautiful manor – inside are a blend of wealthy residents, a few companions and a couple of members of staff, all of whom go about their daily routine without too much hassle. This is until they slowly start to fall victim to a mysterious killer who…
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
Madness has always been a concept that has fascinated writers and artists from every medium – from the philosophers that defined the antiquity to contemporary storytellers that examine human behaviour and our relationship with both our own minds and surroundings, we’ve become obsessed with the idea of sanity, particularly in distinguishing the exact boundaries that…
Carrie (1976)
Horror is perhaps the one genre with the most number of starkly iconic images that have infiltrated the culture and become distinct representations of cinema as a whole. One of the most striking shots in the history of horror is that of a teenage girl standing on stage, covered in blood, with a blazing fire…
The Parenting (2025)
There comes a point in every relationship where it starts to become serious, often signalled by one particular event – the act of meeting your partner’s parents. In many cases, this happens quite early on and is a relatively painless procedure in which you get to know the people that will become part of your…
The Boogie Man Will Get You (1942)
Nestled deep in the countryside of pastoral New England sits a beautiful historical building, which has been the home of many fascinating people over the years. However, it is currently occupied by Professor Billings, a gentle but eccentric scientist, who has decided to sell the house, under the condition that he can maintain his laboratory…
Sinners (2025)
It’s been just over a decade since Ryan Coogler emerged with Fruitvale Station, a complex and engaging character study that examined a plethora of themes that are too familiar to contemporary audiences. Over the past few years, he made a small handful of films, each one brilliant and dynamic, and touching on complex themes that…
The Postmodern Pelican 